//------------------------------// // Zulu Epilogue: According to Legend // Story: Dan Vs. The Magic of Friendship(Season 1) // by Barrobroadcaster //------------------------------// "I think all of Zen Zeal's legends might be true," Twilight said, partly thinking out loud. "He was invincible, he was unbeatable in battle and no matter what he, could take anything and couldn't be stopped. But he didn't believe it, not even once. To him, he was just a powerful zebra general. Using magic, he was able to prey on our own beliefs about him, using our own fears against us. He didn't start believing his own legend until he battled Dan that last time." "Quite a clever cad," Tuxley remarked. "So, the truly "unstoppable zen zeal" was the one we had to show in opposition to him. The moment doubt set in, we faltered. But when we were able to make Zeal believe his own legend, he began to doubt his own abilities. We changed his belief." "We changed his mind," Phoenix added. "More than just his belief, but his entire outlook on things. I don't think Dan will read much into it, but..." he looked over at the unconscious form of Zen Zeal. He was no longer out cold but had fallen into a peaceful sleep. "I believe we may have changed him for the better." "Cool... what now?" Spike asked. "We'll find out soon..." "When our fearless leader comes back from the Fun Cave," Blast Fuse and Blast Powder said, both holding each other and sobbing. Twilight looked at them, puzzled. "Why are you crying? What's the Fun Cave?" Powdy sniffled and pointed with her hoof, still holding her sister. "It's that random pillow fort over there." "Oh... yeah," Twilight said. "Forgot about that... but why are you both crying? What's wrong with the Fun Cave?" "WE WEREN'T INVITED!!" They both yelled, bawling. "We were this close... this close!!" "There, there, ladies, chin up," Tuxley said. "I'm sure there'll be many more opportunities for you to... get your groove on, as they say. Plenty of fish in the sea," he patted them both on the back with the back of his gentlemanly-gloved claws. Fuse looked up at him. "Are you single?" Tuxley removed his claw. He forced a smile and said, "I believe they might need some time to adjust. Reginald?" "Sir?" "Disinfectant, please." Tuxley outstretched his claws and the crystal pony complied by spraying them and wiping them off. His gloves sparkled even in the darkness of dusk. The door to the Fun Cave burst open. "That was a great game of uh... Twister we just played, wasn't it, Chrys?" The changeling queen slunk out of the pillow, mane bedraggled but smiling. "Yes... Twister. We should invite Twilight and Phoenix next time." Fluffle Puff rolled out of the cave in a maid's outfit. "Thpppth." I am the maid... of Twister. "Yeah, something like that." Dan adjusted his shirt- the JERK label looked really satisfied for a brief second. He sniffed sharply and wiped his nose on his sleeve, afterward belching randomly and scratching above his ass. "He's loud, he's obnoxious, he's disgusting, he scratches himself... what does she see in him?" Spike asked, dumbfounded. Twilight shrugged. "It must be love." "Or indigestion," Spike added. The small dragon was the most romantically-minded of them and he was difficult at hiding his envy. But he wasn't really envious of Dan and Chrys; their affection was a constant reminder to him that Rarity wasn't safe. The thought of her being in Vice Grip's clutches caused him a great deal of anguish. His claws balled up every time he thought of her, and in that way, he and Dan had something in common. Dan walked over to the others. "Alright gang, we have momentum. We're on enemy territory and the time is now to strike at the heart of the Zebra Kingdom and takeover this nation for Equestria!" "What?" Twilight asked, appalled. "Dan, we're not conquerers!" Phoenix tried to assist by saying, "Yeah, Dan, we only really came here to-" "Of course we are!" "OBJECTION!" "Dammit Nicky, you got some pipes on ya," Dan remarked, rubbing his ears. "I'm sorry, but Dan, we can't conquer the zebras just because we beat Zen Zeal. We're not evil, we're not an invasion force, we're a defense force." "Yeah," Gust hovered up to them, "I mean, we could probably steal a lot by invading Zebrapolis, what with it being a city of gold and all. But it would probably be a lot of work, getting through their home guards to get all of those jewels and gold and valuable artwork, architecture, pottery..." the griffon began to salivate. "Why am I opposed to this? Okay, now I'm with Dan on this one. Raiding party! Who wants to steal a capital?" "Shut up, nuggets." "Mmmm... gold nuggets." "I'm going to draw up some plans for invading the capital of the Zebra Kingdom!" Dan declared. "I just beat the bad guy, I'm the hero, I say we're going to finish the job. It'll be a lot safer when we steal- I mean, secure everything they own. Especially the gold. Mmmm... gold nuggets." Phoenix rubbed his chin. "Anyone else notice an uncomfortable similarity?" Spike rubbed his own chin. "Yeah, unfortunately." Twilight raised her hoof. "But Dan-" "Twilight, this is for the best. You'll see," Dan reassured her. Tuxley raised his claw. "Master Dan, really I must-" "It's gonna be alright, Jurassic gent. On with the show!" Dan marched off, eager to discuss things with his army. They gathered around him, pegasi, griffons, buffalo, cowponies, all were eager even if many were wary. "Well, this might be a problem," Tuxley said. Chrys noticed the others and turned to Dan. "I got it." She flew over to him, grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him close. They watched as he was delighted to see her and she leaned in to whisper in his ear. Dan's expression changed from delight, to confusion, to disappointment and finally rage. Shaking with anger, he stomped back over to Twilight and the others. "Back to Ponyville. We're going back home, everypony, right now! I HATE THIS PLACE, LEAVE THE ZEBRAS WHERE THEY LIE! I HOPE THEY BURN IT TO THE GROUND!!" Dan yelled. He stormed off towards the carriers. The other ponies and beings did as Dan instructed, packing up their things and filing into the ships. The zebras were freed, many of which were thankful and a bit confused as to why they'd been tied up. Chrys walked over to Twilight and the others. "Hey guys." "What... what did you tell him?" Twilight asked. Chrys shrugged. "I told him that the zebra capital place was built in the mouth of a dormant volcano that would erupt and destroy the gold if he tried to remove any." "Wow..." Phoenix said. "That's actually- wait, was any of that true?" "Sure it is," Chrys said, smiling. "According to legend." They were among the last to board Gust's carriers. When they took off again, they left the Zebra Kingdom and its legends behind them. Wedge and Zecora joined the others in looking towards their future.